One in Four Americans Worried About Having Enough Money for Food, Survey Finds

One in four Americans is worried about having enough money to put food on the table in the coming year, according to new research conducted by Hart Research Associates and commissioned by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and Tyson Foods, Inc.

Source: American Meat Institute | Mar 13, 2011

One in four Americans is worried about having enough money to put food on the table in the coming year, according to new research conducted by Hart Research Associates and commissioned by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and Tyson Foods, Inc.

The online survey, initiated as part of Tyson’s “KNOW Hunger” campaign, found that 24% of respondents indicated they are very or fairly concerned about being able to afford food at some point in the next year, while 31% are slightly worried.

The survey, which is one of the largest and most comprehensive ever conducted on attitudes and perceptions of hunger, also revealed that many Americans perceive that affording healthy food options such as fruits, vegetables, proteins and dairy, is difficult for low-income families.

While more than one-third of those surveyed indicated they have a direct connection to hunger, 59% of respondents were surprised to learn the parents of hungry children in the U.S. typically have full-time jobs. A majority also assumed hunger is concentrated in urban areas. However, according to USDA, hunger is slightly higher among rural households than the national average.